Solar Grade Silicon
Demand for clean, renewable energy alternatives is expected to continue to drive demand for solar energy, which has emerged as one of the most viable renewable options based on its reliability, minimal impact on its surroundings and logistical advantages compared to other sustainable sources. As the market for solar energy continues to develop, we believe the industry will require quality, economic alternatives to the high long-term cost of polysilicon for the manufacture of solar cells.
We have developed a patented metallurgical-based process to purify silicon metal into solar grade silicon for the manufacture of wafers and cells for the solar energy systems. We have established a seven-line production facility in Bécancour, Québec and have shipped more than 1,000 metric tons (mt) of material to customers since late 2007. In the context of the current market in which solar wafer and cell manufactures are demanding a higher quality of material, we are focused on continuing to refine our production process and refining ingoting techniques towards our goal of enabling our customers to manufacture solar cells using our solar grade silicon that are indistinguishable from those produced using polysilicon.